Chapter 27 - Mary #2
“You are vibrant, full of life, and adventurous,” Cat continues, her eyes sparking a little now.
“I love that wherever we go, you see something of beauty and your whole face just lights up. Or when inspiration hits you and you practically bounce to tell me about it. You, amor, have depth. And this dress,” she drags her gaze over me again, and she licks her lips, “perfectly resembles that.”
I can’t hold back the nervous grin that breaks out on my face.
Receiving a compliment is a challenge on its own, let alone one coming from her.
But when my gaze drops, her fingers slide from my cheek to my chin.
Lifting it, she looks me in the eyes and briefly raises her eyebrows.
She doesn’t have to say a thing. That one look is all it takes.
I nod again, and she smiles, satisfied, lowering her hand to offer me her arm again.
“Let’s go see about getting something to drink.”
Cat guides me further into the ballroom and grabs two glasses of champagne from a tray held by a young waiter.
She hands one to me and then lets her hand slide back to the small of my back.
As soon as she does that, I can see a few people turn their heads, before turning back.
That’s when the whispers start. They don’t even need to have their eyes on us for me to feel they are talking about us, and I feel my stomach twist.
The feeling is heavy, almost like a stone weighing me down, and I recognize it for what it is.
Guilt. Not once during my whole breakdown did I think of the repercussions it would have on Cat if she brought me into her professional life.
Her reputation means everything to her, and she is usually so composed that I doubt any of these people have actually seen her smile. Of course they would talk.
But when I glance over, her gaze is on me. It’s that same soft one that she had in the car. It is guarded a little more now that there are other people around, but it still holds the same intensity. Nothing indicates that she is regretting this, or that she doesn’t actually want me here.
“You knew they would talk,” I whisper, and her lip ticks up in a crooked smile.
It’s gone nearly as quickly as it came, meant just for me, and she nods.
“People always talk.”
“You still brought me.”
“Yes.”
No doubt, no question, no hesitation.
“I think I love you.”
Now her eyes widen a bit, and she pushes out a gust of air through her nose. Her fingers find my hip, and she guides me closer toward her. I glide against her side like our bodies were meant to fit this way, and she looks down at me with a satisfied smile.
“Te amo, también, mi amor.”
My lips are starting to curl up when a warm arm wraps around my waist and both Cat and I are being pulled forward. I nearly stumble, but my movement is broken by a soft and warm body. My face ends up somewhere amongst a great set of curls, and a bright, cheerful laugh fills my ears.
“Mis amigas, you made it.”
“Carmen, por favor,” Cat hisses as she pushes her friend slightly back. “This is not a bar.”
“I know. It’s not a hotel room either, hm?” she taunts back, waggling her eyebrows and letting her gaze go from Cat to me, and back to Cat again.
“Hi, Carmen, it’s good to see you again,” I let out on a soft chuckle, breaking Cat’s irritation instantly.
“You too, guapa. You look…”
She steps back to actually look at me, and her lips pucker in appreciation. Her gaze drags down and up, and she grins wide.
“… too sexy for Cat,” she finishes and gives me a big wink.
I shake my head, trying not to laugh, and move into Cat even more.
“No such thing.”
Carmen opens her mouth to reply, but Cat cuts her off very abruptly, greeting the woman who is walking toward us.
“Doctor Ramos, glad to see you here tonight.”
“Doctor Durand, likewise. Although I was informed it was mandatory.”
Her green eyes quickly flick to Carmen, who is suddenly very quietly hiding behind her glass.
“Is that so?” Cat hums, and I can practically taste her amusement. “I wonder who would say such a thing.”
Carmen nearly chokes on her champagne, and her cheeks turn even more red.
“I, uh—” she stammers, and she looks at me for help.
The look of sheer panic in those brown eyes, nearly breaks me. I raise my hand toward Doctor Ramos and smile.
“Hi, I’m Mary.”
“Mary.” She nods, and glances briefly between Cat and me as if she only now realizes I’m also a woman.
“Isa. What a pleasure to meet you.”
There is something about her that I instantly like. She is warm, calm, and poised. Her eyes are bright and sharp, but without any trace of hardness. And seeing that she is a doctor, I am willing to bet that she is wickedly smart, too.
But before I can even open my mouth to reply, a sharp-looking man steps into our little circle.
His jet-black suit is crisp, and the watch at his wrist is picked to match it.
Not something easily recognizable like a Rolex or a Graff.
No. It’s a matte-black F.P. Journe. Quiet luxury.
The kind my grandfather used to like, because it would only broadcast his wealth to those with money.
“Doctor Durand, Doctor Ramos. Nurse.”
He nods at them, and they nod back. None of them greets him verbally. Cat’s fingers curl into my hip a little tighter, and his eyes track the movement with interest.
“And you are?”
He extends his hand to me and flashes me a smile of the straightest, whitest teeth I’ve ever seen. Cat shuffles next to me, and she lifts her chin slightly.
“Mr Abbott, meet my partner, Mary. Mary, this is Daniel Abbott, a chair of the hospital board.”
Her voice is clipped and carries a weight I haven’t heard in a while.
I don’t even have to look at her to know she is in work mode.
Everything about her betrays it. The way her voice is suddenly cold and businesslike, her grasp is more demanding than guiding, and her posture is rigid.
Fuck, it’s so hot when she’s like this. What’s wrong with me?
My belly swoops low and I have to fight the urge to bite my lip.
Instead, I reach out my hand and shake his.
“Mr Abbott.”
“Mary.” He smirks, and narrows his eyes as they flick to Cat. “What a pleasure.”